It was a delight to be a part of the second Cross-Cultural Network honoring Outstanding Russian Americans. Sophya Tabarovski is a go getter. I remember her saying how big the Russian community is and that she would like to bring more attention to it, and in doing so hopefully help the Neil Armstrong, United In Space project. Last night I attended the second honoree dinner, and I was delighted to listen to the music, see the dances and hear about the accomplishments of the individuals.

I’m excited about getting started on this project and hope that we will now go full force in raising the money needed for the bronze sculpture of Neil Armstrong to go to his long awaited home in Russia.

Since the last meeting of the committee of the Neil Armstrong sculpture they have decided to change the design. Instead of a flight suit we are looking at a space suit. This leaves me with the task of trying to find a model and a space suit. I need to take reference pictures. Anyone have any connections to help me do this?

Love the swag of this pose. This is what I would like, though I’m tempted to still put the thumbs up on the right hand.

The sculpture of Gagarin is installed and ready for the dedication. The panel featuring John Glenn is placed next to the sculpture.

On October 15th 2012 there was a dedication at 2999 South Wayside Drive, the Gragg building, NASA’s First Houston Headquarters. The dedication was honoring the first two space explorers to orbit the earth, Cosmonaut Yuri A. Gagarin and Astronaut John H. Glenn Jr.

Father Lubomir Kupecz of St. Vladimir Russian Orthodox Church, Houston, blesses the artwork.

A sculpture of Yuri Gagarin, arms outstretched to embrace the vastness of space, and a panel of John Glenn were donated by Ruslan Bayramov president of International Charity Public Fund Dialogue of Cultures- United World. A gift from Russian to America.

After the park dedication there was a private reception at the Museum of Natural Science.

Now Americans will give-in kind a sculpture of Neil Armstrong to Russia.

“When I orbited the Earth in a spaceship, I saw for the first time how beautiful our planet is. Mankind, let us preserve and increase this beauty and not destroy it. ”Yuri A Gagarin

“The most important thing we can do is inspire young minds and to adnace the kind of science, math and technology education taht will help youngsters take us to the next phase of space travel. ”John H Glenn. Jr.

The final resting place of the sculpture of cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin and panel featuring astronaut John Glenn.

The sculpture of Yuri Gagarin and the panel of John Glenn is being installed. Everything is prepared for the great unveiling scheduled for October 15, 2012. . The final resting place for the celebration of these astronauts is outside the former NASA building at 2999 South Wayside in Houston, Texas.

Yuri Gagarin was the first man to orbit the Earth on April 12, 1961. This sculpture was created to honor the cosmonaut. This sculpture has been placed in Russia and a duplicate has been made for The United States.

Sculpture of Yuri Gagarin

STUDENTS
Ask your relatives, do they remember when Yuri Gagarin and Neil Armstrong made these milestones of accomplishments?

Why do they think these accomplishments were so important? Feel free to log in on this blog and let us know what you think.

STUDENTS

Watch the journey of sculptor Bridgette Mongeon and learn about the history of space. Feel free to weigh in with your comments and thoughts.

TEACHERS

Use the images and blog posts on this site to encourage students participation in learning about space.
PEN PALES
Any classrooms in Russia want to meet students studying space in America? Let's meet here.